Blackburn raises $2.6M for Senate bid in second quarter

Republican U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn raised $2.6 million for her Senate bid in the second quarter, the Chattanooga Time Free Press‘ Andy Sher reports.

The quarterly haul includes $2.2 million in direct contributions plus nearly $400,000 in transfers from joint fundraising committees. That leaves Blackburn with $7.3 million on hand as the campaign heads toward the general election phase.

“Tennesseans across the state have generously donated to our campaign as I work to take our shared values to the United States Senate,” Blackburn said. “I am so grateful for their support, because these resources are vital as we work to keep Tennessee red and defeat Hillary Clinton’s ally Phil Bredesen in November.”

The Times Free Press notes that the amount raised by Blackburn includes a May fundraiser in Nashville headlined by President Donald Trump. Vice President Mike Pence is holding a fundraiser for Blackburn in Chattanooga on Saturday.

Bredesen has yet to report his fundraising figures from the second quarter. He raised $1.8 million in the previous period, while also loaning $1.4 million of his own money to the bid.